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  • monicas 4:21 pm on August 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , skin cancer, skin cleanser, skin tumor, , sunburn, vacation   

    Sunburn 

    It’s August. It’s hot in the Northern Hemisphere. America is on vacation – some in the mountains, some on the beach. It does not matter where you go; if you are out in the open air, you are susceptible to sunburn. Most people are careful, they apply sunblock on all exposed skin and sit under the umbrella. No matter how careful you are, there is always a chance that you get too much sun. One too many dips in the pool and the sunblock has been washed off leaving your skin exposed to the UVB rays of the sun. The skin starts to burn and get uncomfortable. What do you do? Wash the area gently with clean water. Then apply extra virgin olive oil and stay out of the sun. Did you know that olive oil applied topically after UVB exposure can effectively reduce formation of some skin tumors? Research has shown that EVOO has antioxidant effects in reducing DNA damage. Don’t use just any oil. Extra virgin olive oil is light and loaded with antioxidants and Vitamin E.
    So make sure to include a bottle of Davoli EVOO with your toiletries. Use it every night as a cleanser; use it just before bed on your knees and elbows; use it some mornings as a conditioner – after washing your hair, apply the oil and wrap hair in warm towel for 20 minutes; Hey! you are on vacation – pamper yourself. You deserve it. It will really help you when you get back to the office and see the emails or documents waiting for you…..

     

  • monicas 1:18 pm on July 8, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Andes, Bolivia, fair trade, Fine, Foods, gourmet, healthy, lifestyle, Monica, organic, pleasanton, quinoa   

    A change on the table… 

    With obesity rates climbing all over the globe, it would be wise to review what is on your dinner table. Gone are the days when your daily meals could include fried chicken or steak with fries and gravy. Our sedentary lifestyle demands that we eat leaner and healthier. Have you heard of QUINOA (pronounced keen-wah)? Quinoa is cultivated as a grain, cooked like rice, looks like couscous, but is a seed! I’d like to say it is THE new superfood, but in Bolivia, centuries ago the Incas regarded it as an essential part of their diet. It gave them the energy needed to survive in the harsh climate of the Andes. Quinoa is high in protein and has a low glycemic index, so it helps diabetics maintain steady glucose levels. In addition, it is gluten-free, making it ideal for those with celiac disease. Monica’s Fine Foods is proud to present to you organic La Yapa quinoa. La Yapa Quinoa is certified Fair Trade. So when you purchase that package of quinoa, you are not only doing good to your body but also to small farmers in Bolivia. For more information on quinoa, check out this video.

     

  • monicas 2:50 pm on June 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: blended oils, con artists, , , linoleic acid, ,   

    Con Artists 

    Since the 1800s, snake oil salesmen have been working hard to pull wool over our eyes. And more often than not, they are successful. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) has been proven to be an integral part of the Mediterranean Diet which prevents heart disease and cancer. It is loaded with antitoxins including vitamin E. However, olive oil is a product you need to be cautious about when you purchase it. The health benefits of EVOO are maximum when the oil is extra virgin first cold press. This oil has highest quality in taste, appearance and color. Any heat applied when extracting the oil reduces benefits to your body. On the other hand, Sunflower oil is high in linoleic acid – which is used mainly to make soap, emulsifiers and quick-drying oils. It does not have the health benefits that EVOO has. The only advantage the con artists see is the price. Sunflower oil is much cheaper than true EVOO. So to make a profit, they blend the two and sell it as extra virgin olive oil. It does not differ in appearance from pure EVOO and the average consumer would not know about the proverbial “snake oil”!
    The good news is that Food and Drug administration is on the ball. Canadian (Ontario) Court of Justice found one of the con artists and punished them! Let this be a reckoning to those who are also blending cheap oil. On the other side, when you need olive oil, make sure that it is a reliable brand like Davoli EVOO.

     

  • monicas 5:35 pm on June 15, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , plaque, polyphenols, tooth decay, ulcerative colitis   

    Healthy living and extra virgin olive oil 

    What do dental plaque and ulcerative colitis have in common? Nothing you say… well, think again.
    Latest research shows that olive oil in the diet helps prevent both. Trials at the University of Rochester show that foods with polyphenols like olive oil and cranberry juice wash away cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. They also help prevent oral bacteria from producing acids that dissolve tooth enamel. University of Madrid researchers studied the anti-cavity properties of olive oil after discovering that residents of towns where olive oil is manufactured have uncharacteristically low levels of tooth decay and gum disease. Green tea helps prevent plaque build-up too.
    At the same time, British researchers found that a couple of tablespoons of olive oil on salads help prevent the development of ulcerative colitis – an intestinal disease characterized by pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Study leader Dr. Andrew Hart of the University of East Anglia says that the Oleic acid seems to help prevent the development of ulcerative colitis by blocking chemicals in the bowel that aggravate the inflammation found in this illness.
    Two more reasons to stock up on Davoli extra virgin olive oil! Get it here.

     

    • Sofia Baker 8:08 pm on June 17, 2010 Permalink

      Olive oil is very tasty and has some nutty taste too.’`,

    • Cole Powell 8:47 pm on June 20, 2010 Permalink

      i am looking for a good list of diet foods, can someone post a link?`:.

    • monicas 7:01 am on June 21, 2010 Permalink

      Are you looking to lose weight or are you on a special diet like gluten-free or diabetic? If you are looking to lose weight, replace the store bought salad dressings in your fridge with a blend of Davoli extra virgin olive oil and De Nigris aged Balsamic vinegar. If you have been directed to a gluten-free diet, the Bora Bora and Baja sauces are gluten-free. Just grill the meat or fish and pour or dip in the sauce.

    • Caleb Green 8:39 pm on July 26, 2010 Permalink

      Olive oil is very tasty and it has very low saturated fats.”.;

  • monicas 3:24 pm on May 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: lamb chops, memorial day, summer bbq,   

    Planning a BBQ for Memorial Day? 

    The summer solstice is the official start of summer all over the world. However, Memorial Day marks the start of the summer season in the US. This long weekend gives everyone a reason to get out of the house, where they have been hibernating all winter. If possible, spend the day soaking in some sunshine near a pool or lake, visiting with friends and family, sharing corn, watermelon and potato salad. This year for the BBQ we have chosen to grill lamb chops. We found a couple of recipes at Better Homes and Gardens, modified them to our taste, and created a shopping list. The adapted recipes are on our Facebook page. What have you chosen to cook on that special day?

     

    • Wholesale sunglasses 1:18 pm on June 1, 2010 Permalink

      I really enjoyed this post, especially the “examples in this post” portion which made it really easy for me to SEE what you were talking about without even having to leave the article. Thanks

  • monicas 3:23 pm on May 19, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: engineering marvels, Golden Gate Bridge, Hoover Dam, IEEE, Taj Mahal   

    Engineering Marvels 

    I’m not an engineer. Far from it. I do, however, marvel at some structures – the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Golden Gate Bridge, to name a few. I wonder what visions went through the minds of the engineers, the architects, those who came to design these structures. What about the purpose of the structure? Yes, some of you will say the Golden Gate bridge was never meant to be the parking lot it is every day at rush hour. But the Taj Mahal was always a mausoleum. Today I saw a video that explained the building and workings of the Hoover Dam. It was very interesting and not too ‘nerdy’. Check it out here.

     

  • monicas 11:16 am on May 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: juvenile diabetes   

    Juvenile Diabetes 

    Today I saw a video blog from a friend’s son. Dino’s mother and I grew up together as neighbors in a large metropolis. Both of us moved away as adults. Oceans separated us physically but every once in a while we were in contact. At those moments, it was as if we were still neighbors, chatting up a storm. I knew that Dinesh had Type 1 diabetes. Like most people, the impact of the diabetes on his life did not really hit me until I just saw his video blog. Check it out at http://dino-wisewords.blogspot.com/2010/05/its-never-too-late-to-appreciate.html.
    Folks, be thankful for what you have; enjoy every moment of your life; eat well and stay healthy.

     

  • monicas 10:05 pm on April 29, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: balsamic vinegar, burlingame, , Denigis, earthbeam, , , gift for mother, , , Modena, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gift, Natural foods   

    Natual Food Stores 

    Every time I visit a Natural Food Store, I find a new item, something I have never tasted before. Last time I was in Calistoga, I found mango flavored coconut water. Oh it tasted so good on ice! Took me away from the desert heat to a white sand beach with a constant ocean breeze. This Saturday we will be at Earthbeam Natural Foods http://www.earthbeamfoods.com/index.html in Burlingame. They have their monthly sales with incredible specials. Come taste Davoli extra virgin olive oil with Acme bread. And if you add the Denigis Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, that would be quite a combination! I bet if you set that on the table the guests will not complain if dinner was delayed. Take some EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar with you to MOM’s house for Mother’s Day. You know it’s the right gift; Mom will be thrilled. You can order both items from my website http://www.monicasfinefoods.com/products.php. Order today to confirm delivery by Mother’s Day.

     

  • monicas 6:26 pm on April 22, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: 2006 Cabernet, Coaco Nib, crostini, , grass-fed cattle, High Valley, japanese food, , Sauvignon, tri tip, wine-food pairing   

    Food and Wine Pairing 

    How often have you planned an ethnic dinner and wondered “What wine should I serve with this?” Well, the folks at High Valley Vineyard and Cache Creek Catering want to help you with that. Join us this Saturday, April 24th from 11:30 am – 5:00 pm. Here are the details: Dustin and Bobbie Brassfield will be celebrating the release of their 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, at the High Valley Vineyard Tasting Room, 13151 East Highway 20, in Clearlake Oaks. This event, on Saturday April 24, from 11:30 a.m.-5:00p.m., features food and wine pairings by Cache Creek Catering with Japanese Specialties by Kathy Suzuki.

    The menu includes High Valley Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc with Nori Maki rolls, 2006 High Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cocao Nib rubbed Tri Tips from locally grazed and grass fed, Thompson Valley Beef. Bob Brassfield’s new release of Heart O’ The Mountain 2007 Pinot Noir will be paired with Japanese Shittake mushrooms and a dried cherry goat cheese crostini. Chocolate cupcakes with dark chocolate-chili ganache and High Valley Cabernet provide a sweet ending.

    Tickets, $15.00 per person, may be purchased for this event until April 22. For additional information and reservations, contact High Valley Vineyard at (707) 998-9400 or bobbie@highvalleywine.com.

    http://www.highvalleywine.com
    http://www.cachecreekcatering@winestyleliving.com
    http://www.tvrgrassfed.com

    Hurry! time is running out on this special event. and yes, Monica’s Fine Foods will be there with our Davoli EVOO.

     

  • monicas 7:29 pm on March 24, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: EVOO, , Livermore, , White Crane, wine tasting   

    Wine tasting and Davoli 

    Amidst rolling hills of the Livermore Valley in Northern California, I had the pleasure of spending last weekend ‘manning’ a stall with my Davoli EVOO. It was a barrel-tasting event at White Crane Winery. The picturesque setting, the great company and a Cab to die for… check it out for yourself..http://www.whitecranewinery.com/

     

    • Vinod Aggarwal 10:03 pm on March 26, 2010 Permalink

      Davoli olive oil is really superb. I have used it for salads as opposed to cooking to see if this olive oil is better than the others, and the taste is truly exceptional. Having grown up in Italy, I have long sought good olive oil and tried a host of oils but Davoli really stands out. Keep up the good job of importing great foods. I look forward to the new products that you have announced. If they are as good as Davoli, you will have a committed customer!

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